
Petter Solberg put it all on the line at the 2017 World RX of Germany. Choosing to race while nursing two broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a bruised lung; all sustained from a crash during the World RX of Latvia two weeks ago; the double world rallycross champion won two qualifying races, semi-final one, and only just missed out on a podium place. Unbelievable; even for Solberg.
The incredible performance at the wheel of his 600bhp VW Polo GTI Supercar comes just five days after Solberg was undergoing surgery to fasten a titanium plate onto his collarbone to stabilize the injury sustained in Latvia. Where many drivers would have simply opted to sit-out the weekend, Solberg didn’t take his eyes off the prize – with second and third place still up for grabs in the drivers championship – in the wake of team mate Johan Kristoffersson being crowned the 2017 FIA World Rallycross drivers’ champion.
Arguably Petter’s determination was rewarded, because even though outgoing World RX champion Matthias Ekström took the eventual win at #GermanyRX; Petter’s fourth place, and victories during qualifying, and the semi-finals were enough to retain his second place spot in the drivers’ championship.
While Johan Kristoffersson was chasing his 10th successive podium of the season; the newly crowned 2017 World RX champion was unfortunately forced to leave Germany empty handed. Kristoffersson struggled to set-up and execute the lightening starts that have characterized his performances this season. And after a clash at Estering’s treacherous first corner hairpin during the semi finals, the superstar Swede was relegated to seventh in the weekend’s standings.